Thread feeding arrangement for knitting machines



Feb. 1, 1966 R. SCHMIDT ETAL 3,232,073

THREAD FEEDING ARRANGEMENT FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 11, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet l F/G/U 5" F/G/ FILE) Qua/.1 29.1

Feb. 1, 1966 R. SCHMIDT ETAL THREAD FEEDING ARRANGEMENT FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 11, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I NVEN TORS Edam! Mend/- A/axnar Feb. 1, 1966 R. SCHMIDT ETAL 3,232,073

THREAD FEEDING ARRANGEMENT FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 11, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 1, 1966 R. SCHMIDT ETAL 3,232,078

THREAD FEEDING ARRANGEMENT FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 11, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 1, 1966 R. SCHMIDT ETAL 3,232,078

THREAD FEEDING ARRANGEMENT FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 11, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 III 'I/// IIII////! 1- Ill! 0 000000000000000 u INVENTORS /8d l /klard JZL -z/d Var/ a- *L BY AAA/24. 222% United States Patent 3,232,078 THREAD FEEDING ARRANGEMENT FOR KNITTING MACHINES Richard Schmidt and Werner J ansch, Stuttgart-Vaihingen, and Richard Rall, Musberg, Germany, assignors to Franz Morat G.m.b.H., Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany Filed Apr. 11, 1963, Ser. No. 272,400 Claims priority, application Germany, Apr. 12, 1962, M 52,477 19 Claims. (Cl. 66-145) The present invention relates to a thread feeding device for a knitting machine, and more particularly to a program controlled feeding device for feeding a thread for limited periods to the needles of a circular knitting machine.

Apparatus serving the same purpose is disclosed in the copending application Schmidt, Serial No. 54,155 now US. Patent 3,115,761, filed September 6, 1960, and in the copending application Schmidt et al., Serial No. 254,154, filed January 28, 1963.

The copending applications disclose feeding arrangements in which an additional thread is fed at intervals to the knitting needles, and is cut off and clamped to be held in the position of readiness when the knitted pattern does not require the feeding of an additional thread. The device of the present invention constitutes an improvement over the prior constructions, and is capable of performing all operations necessary for the controlled feeding of an additional thread in accordance with a predetermined program without requiring clamping and cutting members mounted on the knitting machine.

It is one object of the present invention to provide an improved device for clamping, cutting, and feeding an additional thread to a knitting machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a thread feeding device comprising small and light, moving, guiding, cutting and clamping members capable of being operated by electromagnetic control means.

Another object of the invention is to combine clamping, cutting and thread guiding means in one device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device capable of clamping a thread, and of moving a clamped thread to a position in which it is caught by a part of the knitting machine to be knitted into the fabric.

It is the main object of the present invention to provide a thread feeding device of extremely simple construction which can perform all operations necessary for feeding a thread to a knitting machine, so that the device can be mounted on existent standard knitting machines to adapt the same to knitting operations in which an additional thread has to be fed in accordance with a program.

With these objects in view, a thread feeding device according to the present invention is advantageously applied for feeding an additional thread to the needles of a circular knitting machine. One embodiment of the invention comprises first and second operating means mounted on supoprt means for movement relative to each other between a guiding position for guiding a thread, and a clamping position for clamping the thread, and control means for moving the first and second operating means in timed relation between the thread guiding and clamping position, and also to and from a thread feeding position for feeding the clamped thread to the needles of the knitting machine. When the device is in the thread guiding position, the knitting needles can draw the thread from a supply means, while in a thread feeding position, the thread is held in a position in which it can be caught so as to be applied to the needles, whereupon the operating means move to the thread guiding position to permit a knitting operation.

During the movement from the thread guiding position to the clamping position, which takes place when the knitting of the additional thread is to be interrupted, cutting means provided on the first operating means, sever the thread so that the clamped thread part is not subjected to the pull of the knitting needles which finish the knitting of the cut olf thread portion into the fabric.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control means includes first and second electromagnetic means which are connected to the first and second operating means in such a manner that the operating means can move relative to each other between the thread guiding and clamping positions, and in the clamping position to and from the thread feeding position located closely adjacent the knitting needles. Preferably, the first and second operating means are turned to pass the knitting needles during movement to the thread feeding position, and are then turned back to the thread feeding position.

In order to facilitate and simplify the operations of the electromagnetic control means, coupling means are preferably provided for coupling the first and second operating means so that energization of only one electromagnetic means is sulficient to move the first and second operating means simultaneously to and from the thread feeding position.

The first operating means include a tube, a clamping portion, and a coupling means, and the second operating means include a rod guided in the tube and having a clamping portion and a clamping spring. In the clamping position of the parts, the thread is clamped between the clamping portions and the clamping spring, and before the clamping position is assumed, the thread is urged against the cutting edge of the cutting means, and severed. One of the operating means is spring biased, and the other can be held by a suitable friction brake in the position it assumes when the corresponding electromagnetic control means is de-energized.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the thread feeding device according to the present invention, the casing being schematically indicated for the sake of clarity, and FIG. 1 being divided into two parts;

FIG. 1a is a fragmentary sectional view along line Ia-Ia;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the thread feeding device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line III-III in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 being divided in two parts;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line IVIV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line VV in FIG. 1 in the position I of the device;

FIG. 5a is a fragmentary view taken on line VV in FIG. 1 in the position II;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line VIVI in FIG. 1 in the position III;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of a knitting machine provided with the thread feeding arrangement according to the present invention;

FIG. 8a is a front view, and FIG. 8b is a plan view, partially in section, illustrating a first operational position of the thread feeding arrangement during a knitting operation;

FIG. 9a is a fragmentary front view, and FIG. 9b is a fragmentary plan view, partially in section, illustrating another operational position after the cutting of a thread; and

FIG. 10a is a fragmentary front view, and FIG. 10b is a fragmentary plan view, partially in section, illustrat ing another operational position assumed during the threading of a thread.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 2, the casing of the device includes a cylindrical center part I, a cap 2' threaded into the upper end of cylindrical part 1, and an end piece 4. Transverse walls 2 and 3 are. secured to the casing. A rod 5 is partly located in a tube 6 which is guided for longitudinal movement in a bearing in part 4. Rod 5 is guided for longitudinal movement in tube 6, and in bearings in parts 3 and 2, as best seen in FIG. 3. Rod 5 and tube 6 are also turnable in the respective bearings. The coil 8 of a first electromagnetic control means abuts wall 3 and is secured to the casing, and a coil 7 of a second electromagnetic control means also abuts wall 3 and is secured to the casing. An armature 10 is secured to tube 6 and cooperates with coil 8, while an armature 9 is secured to rod 5 and cooperates with coil 7.

A first spring 11' abuts a ortion of wall 3, and a disk 12 which ismovably mounted on rod 5. A second spring 11 abuts armature 9 and disk 12. Spring 11 has less pretension than spring 11' so that upon energization of coil 7, armature 9 and rod 5 first compress spring 11 until the same has sufiicient tension to compress spring 11' which is the case when armature 9 has moved deeper into coil 7, and the electromagnetic force acting thereon is increased.

A disk 13 on rod 5 abuts armature 10 of tube 6 when armature It) is raised by energization of coil 8 to the position shown in FIG. 3. The first electromagnetic control means 8, 10 and the second electromagnetic control means 7, 9 can be operated to move rod 5 and tube 6 simultaneously between higher and lower positions, but de-energization of coil 7 will permit springs 11 and 11' to raise rod 5 without tube 6, which is retained by a braking spring 23 secured to armature 10 and carrying a follower pin 6' which frictionally engages the bottom of a curved guide track 14- in a bushing 4' secured to end piece 4.

The curvature of guide track 14 is best seen in FIG. 1, and it will be understood that tube 6 will perform an angular movement during longitudinal movement thereof, since the guide track 14 forces follower pin 6, spring 23, and armature 10 to turn with tube 6.

A follower pin 5 is secured to armature 9 of rod 5, and projects into a guide track 15 as shown in FIG. 1, so that longitudinal movement of armature 9 with rod 5 will cause an angular movement of rod 5 corresponding to the angular movement of tube 6 under the control of guide track 14. Guide track 15 is formed in a bushing 2" which is fixed in the cap 2'.

As best seen in FIG. 3, tube 6 supports an operating member 18, and rod 5 supports an operating member 17. Members 17 and 18 have split portions 17 and 18 so that they can be clamped to members 5 and 6, respectively, by screws of which a screw 18" is shown in FIG. 4.

A clamping member 19, shown to be a resilient leaf spring, is secured by screw 19' to member 17, and the arrangement is such that a gap is left between member 17 and clamping spring 19. Operating member 18 has a narrow portion 18b registering with this gap, and carrying at the lower end thereof a clamping portion 18a. The thickness of clamping portion 18a corresponds to the width of the gap between members 17 and 19, and when members 17 and 18 are moved relative to each other between the positions I and II, corresponding to FIGS. 5 and 5a, the clamping portions 18a is placed in the gap between members 17 and 19 for the purpose of resiliently clamping a thread F.

A severing or cutting means, shown to be a blade 20 having a slanted cutting edge 20b is secured by its portion 28a to portion 18 of operating member 18.

In the position I, cutting edge 20b and the upper edge of clamping portion 18a will be located below a thread F, and the clamping portion of member 17 and clamping spring 19 will be located above the thread. When operating members 17 and 18 move to the position II, corresponding to a movement from the position of FIG. 5 to the position of FIG. 5a, the cutting edge 2% cooperates with the bottom face of the clamping portion of member 17 to cut the thread so that the same is cut when clamped in the position II shown in FIG. 5a.

In the position I the thread is guided during a knitting operation in which the knitting needles of the machine draw the thread from thread supply means and knit the same into the fabric. In the position II, the thread has been cut and is clamped, so that the cut off end of the thread is knitted into the fabric, whereupon knitting is continued without the thread F. The thread remains clamped, until the desired pattern of the fabric again requires the feeding of the additional thread F. For this purpose, operating members 17 and 18, with the clamped thread, are moved to the lower thread feeding position III in which the thread is caught whereupon members 17 and 18 move back to the position I while also moving relative to each other to release the thread F, so that the position of the thread shown in FIG. 5 is re-e'stablished, and the knitting needles can freely draw the thread through the gap between the bottom edges of members 17 and 19, and the top edge of clamping portion 18a, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the coils 8 and 7 of the first and second electromagnetic control means 8, 1t) and 7, 9 are connected by cable 24 to a plug 25 which is inserted into a corresponding socket provided on the knitting machine. The contacts are connected to an impulse transmitter which is controlled by pattern control means in accordance with a selected program so that by energization of the first and second electromagnetic control means, the moment in which the device is placed in the thread guiding position of FIG. 5, or in the clamping and holding position of FIG. 5a, or in the thread feeding position shown in FIG. 6, can be determined.

Since the followers 5' of rod 5 and 6 of tube 6 are guided in guide tracks 15 and 14', longitudinal movement of the first operating means 6, Hand of the second operating means 5, 17 will cause an angular movement of operating members 17 and 18 when the same move simultaneously in the clamping positionof FIGS 5a and 6 between the higher inoperative position 11 and the lower thread feeding position III. In this manner, the clamp operating members 17, 18 can pass the needles in a turned position and thread F will be moved into the region of the knitting operation where it can be caught to be knitted into the fabric.

In the position II in which the thread F is not to be knitted into the fabric, the tube 6, pulled to the upper position by the energized coil 8, remains in this position since operating member 18 is-held by the clamped thread F between the operating member 17 and the clamping spring 19. The rod 5 is held by springs 11 and 11 in the upper position II. In this position, the clamped thread is held inoperative, but in a position of readiness, above the knitting needles until the knitting of the additional thread F is again desired.

It a knitting of thread is required, the coil 7 is energized so that the armature 9 on rod 5 is moved with rod 5 downward. Due to the clamping connection between parts 17 and 19 on rod 5, and part 18a on tube 6, the downwardly moving rod 5 takes tube 6 along to a lower position. Thread F, which is clamped, also moves downward to the position III as shown in FIG. 1 in dash and dot lines, and in FIG. 6.

Parts 17, 18, 19, 20, 2015 must be turned about the axis of rod 5 and tube 6 in order to bypass the dial needles.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, in the positions I, follower 6 is located at the lower end of the straight upper part 14a of guide track 14, which is parallel to the axis, while the follower 5' is located at the upper end of the curved guide track 15. When due to the energization of coil 8, the armature 10 with tube 6 and members 18a, 20 is up wardly moved to the position II, shown in FIGS. 1 and 5a, follower 6 moves in the upper .part of the guide track 14, from a position 6'1 indicated in FIG. 1 to a position 6'II. Members 18a and 20 remain parallel to members 17 and 19 during this movement so that in the position of FIG. 5a, the clamping portion 18a moves bet-ween parts 17 and 19 and slides along the left lateral surface of part 17 so as to effect cutting of the thread by the knife 20. Rod 5 is stopped during the movement of the parts from the position I to the position II, so that the follower 5 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 1 while the device assumes the position I shown in FIG. 5, and the position II shown in FIG. 5a.

If shifting to the position III is desired, coil 7 is energized to move tube 6 and rods 5 together in downward direction which is due to the clamping connection between the clamping parts clamping and thread and to flange 13. During such downward movement, the curved guide track causes follower 5' to turn rod 5 first in one sense of rotation, and then in the opposite sense of rotation until the lowest position of tube 6 and rod 5, position III, is assumed.

The shape of the bottom of guide track 14 is shown in FIG. la, and since follower 6 is mounted on spring 23, it can be resiliently moved out of the guide track so as not to be confined by the same. Follower 6 is not confined in the part of a guide track 14 which is parallel to'the axis while moving down together with follower 5', and can turn with the same. Bushing 4 in which cam track 14, 14a is provided has in the upper part a rectangular recess 14 so that follower 6' is not obstructed during the turning of tube 6. The lower edge of this rectangular recess 14 is oblique at 14 so that follower 6 can be radially raised against the action of spring 23 to move along the inclined plane 14 so as to be urged outwardly in radial direction until it is free to snap into the curved part of guide track 14. The following parts of the guide tracks 14 and 15 are parallel so that rod 5 and tube 6 turn together. Spring 23 permits the radial movement of follower 6. The arcuate parts of guide track 14 and 15 match each other so that tube 6 and rod 5 can perform the same reciprocating turning movement When follower 6 is again engaged by guide track 14.

During the upward movement of the device from the position III to the position I which is accomplished by the axial pressure of springs 11 and 11 as soon as the coil 7 is de-energized, the clamped end of thread F is pulled out so that the parts 19, 18a and 17 are no longer coupled to each other in a clamping position. When parts 17 and 19 move upward with rod 5, tube 6 is not taken along until the upper edge of the member 17 engages the lower edge of member 18'. At this moment rod 5 and tube 6 are moved by guide track 14 and 15 in a reciprocating turning movement so that parts 20, 17, 18a and 19 pass the dial needles.

FIG. 7 illustrates the general arrangement of a circular knitting machine provided with the thread feeding device of the invention. Needle cylinder 101 and dial 103 turn about a common axis, while members 102 and 104 are stationary. Cylinder needles 105 and dial needles 106 are guided for movement in channels of the needle cylinder 101 and of the dial 103. The needles are advanced and retracted by cams 102' and 104 which engage butts 105' and 106 of the needles.

The thread feeding device of the invention is mounted on the stationary member 104 in the region of the knitting operation. The casing 1 is secured by a clamping bracket 107 which is mounted on a bolt 108. Bolt 108 is clamped in the head positions 109" of member 109 by means of a bolt.

Member 109 has a narrow plate adjustable in vertical direction in a recess of bolt 111 and secured by a screw 110. Bolt 111 is mounted in a bearing part 112 which is attached by screw 113 to the stationary part 104.

The lower end of member 109 carries an angular thread guide plate 109a which is provided with bores and slots through which thread F is guided to the knitting needles 105 and 106. The guide plate 109a also serves in a known manner to open latches of the knitting needles during the up and down movement, if the same are closed.

The thread feeding device of the invention is secured in such a manner that the thread-guiding, clamping and cutting parts 17, 19, 18a and 20 are located above the horizontal parts of the guide plate 109a.

FIG. 7 illustrates the device in the position I, corresponding to FIGS. 1, 5, 3, and 2. The thread is supplied from a reel 118 and guided toward the needles 105, 106 between parts 17 and 18a after passing through a bore 119 in a projection of guide plate 109a.

When a control pulse is given in accordance with the program, it is supplied through cable 24 whose plug 25 is located in socket 114 on housing 115 carried by the stationary member 104.

Swiches 116 are provided for each coil 7 and 8. Only one switch 116 is illustrated in FIG. 7 with a lower switch pin 116' actuated by a cam 117 rotating with the dial 103. Cam 117 may be shifted by a means, not shown, to a lateral position in which it does not operate pin 116'. The details of this arrangement are not an object of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is intended to show the position of the thread feeding device of the invention on the circular knitting machine.

FIGS. 8a and 8b, 9a and 9b, 10a and 10b illustrate the positions I, II, and III in relation to the cylinder needles 105 and the dial needles 106. The needles are schematically illustrated as small circles when viewed in longitudinal direction. The guide plate 109a has a vertical part best seen in FIGS. 8a, 9a and 10a, and a horizontal part best seen in FIGS. 8b, 9b, and 10b. In the position I of FIGS. 8a, 8b, the thread supplied from the reel 113 passes through the opening 119 in the guide plate, and passes between members 18a and 19, and 17 and 20 to the point where the needles perform the knitting operation. The thread F is guided in the horizontal portion of guide plate 109a in an oblique slot 120, as best seen in FIG. 8b. Slot 120 forms an acute angle with the open slot part 1200.

When thread F is not to be used in the fabric, parts 19, 17, 18a and 20 assume their position II shown in FIG. 5a, which is illustrated in FIGS. 9a and 9b in relation to the guide plate. Parts 18a and 20 have moved upward so that thread F is clamped between parts 19, 18a and 17, while the thread is cut off by cutting means 20. The cut off part of the thread is knitted into the fabric. In the position II shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b, thread F is not knitted. If knitting of thread F is again desired, parts if 19, 17, 18a and 20 are first moved to the position III which is illustrated inFIGS. 10a and 10b.

As shown in FIG. 10a, thread F is still clamped by the downwardly moving parts 19, 18a, and 17 and drawn to a position below the dial needles 106 so that it passes bet-ween two dial needles 106 in downward direction.

FIG. 9b and FIG. 10b illustate how parts 19, 18a, 17 and 20 are pivoted about the common axis X of rod and tube *6 in the direction of the arrow P in FIG. 9b during the downward movement to pass the line formed by the dial needles 106 and indicated by the imaginary line 106a. When the parts are below the dial needles 106-, they are turned by guide tracks 14 and 15 opposite to the direction of arrow P until they are located under the dial needles 106.

The clamped thread F has thus been placed in the portion 120a of the angular slot 120 where it is caught by the hook of a dial needle 106, and drawn by the moving needle to the end of slot 120, in which position the thread will remain while being knitted.

F The thread F is first still clamped by parts 19, 18a and 20 and is then pulled out from between the clamping parts.

Parts 19, 18a, 17 and 20 are again moved in upward direction, while being pivoted to pass the dial needles. Above the dial needles they are turned back to the initial position shown in FIG. 8a.

During this operation, parts 17, 19 move relative to parts 18a, 19 to the position I shown in FIGS. 5 and 8a. During the pivotal movement of these parts to the position of FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b, thread F which passes from opening 119 to slot 120 is located below parts 17 and 19 and above parts 18a and 20.

A thread feeding device according to the present invention can be provided on a circular knitting machine having a plurality of knitting stations, one thread feeding device being provided at each knitting station.

The feeding of an auxiliary thread in accordance with a pattern can be accomplished in accordance with the program, and the feeding of the auxiliary thread may be discontinued in accordancewith the program so that the auxiliary thread can be fed in accordance with a selected pattern.

v It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in ether types of thread feeding devices differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a thread feeding device for clamping, cutting, and feeding an auxiliary thread in accordance with a program for producing a selected pattern in a knitted fabric, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes maybe made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without-further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by apply ng current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be compreliendedwithin the meaning and range of equivalease of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A thread feeding device'for feeding a thread to the needles of a knitting machine, comprising, supporting means; first and second operating means mounted on said" supporting means for movement relative to each other between a guiding position for guiding a thread, and a'clamping position for clamping the thread, and for simultaneous movement to and from a thread feeding position for feeding the clamped thread to the needles of the knitting machine; and control means for moving said 8 first and second operating means in timed relation between said positions. 7 g

2. A thread feeding device for feeding a thread to the needles of a knitting machine, comprising, supporting means; first and second operating means, one of said operating means including a severing means, said first and second operating means being mounted on said support ing means for movement relative to each other between a guiding position for guiding a thread, a severing position for severing the thread, and a clamping position for clamping the severed thread, and for simultaneous movement to and from a thread feeding position for feeding the clamp thread to the needles of the knitting machine; and control means for moving said first and second op erating means in timed relation between'said positions.

3. A thread feeding device for feeding a thread to the needles of a knitting machine, comprising, supporting eans; first and second operating means mounted on said supporting means for rectilinear movement in one direction relative to each other between a guiding position for guiding a thread, and a clamping position for clamping the thread, and for simultaneous rectilinear movement in said one direction and turning movement in a transverse direction to and from a thread feeding position for feeding the clamped thread to the needles of the knitting machine; and control means for moving said first and second operating means in timed relation between said positions.

4. A. thread feeding device for feeding a thread to the needles of a knitting machine, comprising, supporting means; first and second operating means, said first operating means including a cutting means fixed thereon, said first and second operating means mounted on said supporting means for movement relative to each other between a guiding position for guiding a thread, a cutting position for cutting the thread, and a clamping position for clamping the cut thread, and for simultaneous movement to and from a thread feeding position for feeding the clamped thread to the needles of the knitting machine; and control means for moving said first and second operating means in timed relation between said positions.

5. A thread feeding device for feeding a thread to the needles of a knitting machine, comprising, supporting means; first and second operating means, said first operating means including a cutting means fixed thereon, said first and second operating means mounted on said supporting means for rectilinear movement in one direction relative to each other between a guiding position for guiding a thread, a cutting position for cutting the thread, and a clamping position for clamping the cut thread, and for simultaneous rectilinear movement in said one direction and turning movement in a transverse direction to and from a thread feeding position for feeding the clamped thread to the needles of the knitting ma chine; and control means for moving said first and second operating means in timed relation between said positions.

6. A thread feeding device for feeding a thread to the needles of a knitting machine, comprising, supporting means; first and second operating means, one of said operating means including a severing means, said first and second operating means being mounted on said supporting means for movement relative to each other between a guiding position for guiding a thread; a severing position for severing the thread, and a clamping position for clamping the severed thread and for simultaneous movement to and from a thread feeding position for feeding the clamped thread to the needles of the knitting machine; and control means including first electromagnetic means for moving said first operating means, and second electromagnetic means formoving said second operating means in timed relation between said positions.

7. A thread feeding device for feeding a thread to the needles of a knitting machine, comprising, in combination, supporting means; first operating means including a tube and a first operating member transversely project ing from said tube, said tube being mounted onsaid supporting means for longitudinal movement; second operating means including a rod slidably mounted in said tube and a second operating member transversely projecting from said rod and being located in the region of said first operating member, said rod being mounted on said supporting means for longitudinal movement; and first and second control means respectively connected to said first and second operating means for moving said rod and said tube relative to each other between a first position in which said first and second operating members are spaced in a thread-guiding position and a second position in which said first and second operating members contact each other in a clamping position for clamping the thread and for moving said tube and said rod simultaneously so that said operating members can be moved in said clamping position to a thread feeding position for feeding the thread to the needles of the knitting machine.

8. A thread feeding device for feeding a thread to the needles of a knitting machine, comprising, in combination, supporting means; first operating means including a tube and a first operating member transversely projecting from said tube, said tube being mounted on said supporting means for longitudinal movement; second operating means including a rod slidably mounted in said tube and a second operating member transversely projecting from said rod and being located in the region of said first operating member, said rod being mounted on said supporting means for longitudinal movement; first and second control means respectively connected to said first and second operating means for moving said rod and said tube relative to each other between a first position in which said first and second operating members are spaced in a threadguiding position and a second position in which said first and second operating members contact each other in a clamping position for clamping the thread and coupling said tube and said rod for movement together in one direction of longitudinal movement so that said operating members can be moved in said clamping position to a thread feeding position for feeding the thread to the needles "of the knitting machine.

9. A thread feeding device for feeding a thread to the needles of a knitting machine, comprising, in combination, supporting means; first operating means including a tube and a first operating member transversely projecting from said tube, said tube being mounted on said supporting means for longitudinal movement; a'cutting means secured to said first operating member for movement therewith; second operating means including a rod slidably mounted in said tube and a second operating member transversely projecting from said rod and being located in the region of said first operating member, said rod being mounted on said supporting means for longitudinal movement; and first and second control means respectively connected to said first and second operating means for moving said rod and said tube relative to each other between a first position in which said firstand second operating members are spaced in a thread-guiding position and a second position in which said first and second operating members contact each other in a clamping position for clamping the thread, said first and second operating members having an intermediate position in which said cut-ting means cuts the thread and for moving said tube and said rod simultaneously so that said operating members can be moved in said clamping position to a thread feeding position for feeding the thread to the needles of the knitting machine.

10. A thread feeding device for feeding a thread to the needles of a knitting machine, comprising, in combination, supporting means having a first guide track and a second parallel guide track, each guide track having a curved track portion and one guide track having a straight track portion; first operating means including a tube and a first operating member transversely projecting from said tube, said tube being mounted on said supporting means for longitudinal movement and having a first follower guided in said first guide track for turning said tube when said follower is located in said curved track portion; second operating means including a rod slidably mounted in said tube and a second operating member transversely projecting from said rod and being located in the region of said first operating member, said rod being mounted on said supporting means for longitudinal movement and having a second follower guided in said second guide track for turning said rod when said second follower is located in said curved track portion so that said operating members are angularly reciprocated during longitudinal movement of said tube and said rod to pass the needles of the knitting machine; and first and second control means respectively connected to said first and second operating means for moving said rod and said tube relative to each other while one of said followers is in said straight longitudinal track portion, and between a first position in which said first and second operating members are spaced in a thread-guiding position and a second position in which said first and second operating members contact each other in a clamping position for clamping the thread and for moving said tube and said rod simultaneously so that said operating members can be longitudinally moved and simultaneously turned in said clamping position to a thread feeding position for feeding the thread to the needles of the knitting machine.

11. A thread feeding device for feeding a thread to the needles of a knitting machine, comprising, in combination, supporting means; first operating means including a tube and a first operating member transversely projecting from said tube, said tube being mounted on said supporting means for longitudinal movement; a cutting means secured to said first operating member for movement therewith; second operating means including a rod slidably mounted in said tube and a second operating member transversely projecting from said rod and being located in the region of said first operating member, said rod being mounted on said supporting means for longitudinal movement; and first and second control means, said first control means including an electromagnetic coil fixedly secured to said supporting means, and a first armature secured to said tube, and said second control means including electromagnetic coil fixedly secured to said supporting means and a second armature secured to said rod for moving said rod and said tube relative to each other between a first position in which said first and second opera-ting members contact each other in a clamping positi-on for clamping the thread, said first and second operat ing members having an intermediate position in which said cutting means cuts the thread and for moving said tube and said rod simultaneously so that said operating members can be moved in said clamping position to a thread feeding position for feeding the thread to the needles of the knitting machine.

12. A thread feeding device for feeding a thread to the needles .of a knitting machine, comprising, in combination, supporting means; first operating means including a tube and a first operating member transversely projecting from said tube, said tube being mounted on said supporting means for longitudinal movement; a cutting means securedto said first operating member for movement therewith; second operating means including a rod slidably mounted in said tube and a second operating member transversely projecting from said rod and being located in the region of said first operating member, said rod being mounted on said supporting means for longitudinal movement; first and second control means, said first control means including an electromagnetic coil fixedly secured to said supporting means, and a first armature secured to said tube, and said second control means including electromagnetic coil fixedly secured to said supporting means and a second armature secured to said rod for moving said rod and said tube relative to each other between a first posit-ion in which said first and second operating members contact-each other in a clampingposition for clamping'the thread, said first and second operating members having an intermediate position in which said cutting means cuts the thread; said operating members in said clamping position coupling said tube and said rod for movement together in one direction of longitudinal movement so that said ope-rating members can be movedin said clamping; position to a thread feeding position for feeding the thread to the needles of the knitting machine.

13. A thread feeding device for feeding a thread to the needles of a knitting machine, comprising, supporting means; first and second operating means, said first operating means including a cutting-means fixed thereon, said first and second operating means mounted on said supporting means for movement relative to each other between a guiding position for guiding a thread, a cutting position for cutting the thread, and a clamping position for clam ing the cut thread, and for simultaneous movement to and from a thread feeding position for feeding the clamped thread to-the needles of the knitting machine; said second operating means including a clamping portion, and a clamping spring. spaced from said clamping portion to form a gap with the same, and said first operating means including a clamping portion located spaced from said clamping portion and said clamping spring in said thread guiding position so that athread may be guided between said spaced clamping portions, and being located in said gap in said clamping position so that the thread is clamped between said clamping portions and said clamping spring; and control means for moving said first and second operating means in timed relation between said positions.

14; A thead feeding. device for feeding a thread to the needles of a knitting machine, comprising, in combination, supporting means; first operating means including a tube and. a first operating member transversely projecting from said tube, said. first operating member having a first clamping portion, said tube being mounted on said supporting means for longitudinal movement; a cut? ting means secured to said first operating member for movement therewith; second operating means including a rod slidably mounted in said tube and a second operating member transversely projecting from said rod and having a second clamping portion located in the region of said first clamping portion, said rod being mounted on said supporting means for longitudinal movement; a clamping spring mounted on said second operating member and forming a gap with said second clamping portion, said first clamping portion registering with said gap in longitudinal direction; and first and second control means respectively connected to said first and second op erating means for moving said rod and said tube relative to each other between a first portion in which said first and second clamping portions are spaced in a threadguiding position and a second position in which said first and second clamping portions and said clamping spring contact each other in a clamping position for clamping the thread, said first and second operating members having an intermediate position in which said cutting means cuts the thread, said first and second control means being adapted for moving said tube and said rod simultaneously so that said operating members can be moved in said clamping position to a thread feeding position for feeding, the thread to the needles of the knitting machine.

15. A thread feeding device for feeding a thread to the needles of a knitting machine, comprising, in combination, supportingmeans; first operating means including a tube and a first operating member transversely projecting from said tube, said first operating member having a first clamping portion, said tube being mounted on 'said supporting means for longitudinal movement; a

cutting means secured to said first operating member for movement therewith; second operating means ineluding a rod slidably mounted in said tube and a second operating member transversely projecting from said rod and having a second clamping portion located in the region of said first clamping portion, said rod being mounted on said supporting means for longitudinal movement; a clamping spring mounted on said second operating member and forming a gap with said second clamping portion, said first clamping portion registering with said gap in longitudinal direction; first and second control means, said first control means including an electromagnetic coil fixedly secured tosaid supporting means, and a first armature secured to said tube, and said second control means including electromagnetic coil fixedly secured to said supporting means and a second armature secured to said rod for moving said rod and said tube relative to each other between a first position in which said first and second clamping portions and said' clamping, spring contact each other in a clamping position for clamping the thread, said first and second operating members having an intermediate position in which :said cutting means cuts the thread; said clamping portions and said clamping spring coupling said tube and said rod for movement together in one direction of longitudinal movement so that said operating members can be moved in said clamping position to a theread feeding position for feeding the thread to the needles of the knitting machine.

16. A thread feeding device for feeding a thread to the needles of a knitting machine, comprising, in combination, supporting means having a first guide track and a second parallel guide track, each guide track having a curved trackportion and one guide track having a straight track portion; first operating means including a tube and a first operating member transversely projecting from said tube, said first operating member having a first clamping portion, said tube being mounted on said, supporting means for longitudinal movement and having a first follower guided in said first guide track for turning said tube when said follower islocated in said curved track portion; a cutting means secured to said first operating member for movement therewith; second operating means including a rod slidably mounted in said tube and a second operatingmember transversely projecting from said'rod andhaving a second. clampingportion located in the region of saidfirst clamping portion, said rod being mounted on said supporting means for longitudinal movement and having asecond follower guided in said second guide track for turning said rod when said second follower is located insaid curved track. portion so that said operating members are angularly reciprocated during longitudinal movement of said tube and said rod to pass the needles ofthe knitting machine; aclamping spring. mounted on said secondoperating member and'forming a gap with said second clampingportion, said first clamping portion registering with said gap in longitudinal direction; first-and second control means, said first control means including an electromagnetic coil fixedly secured to. said tube, and said second control means including electromagnetic co l fixedly secured to said supporting means and a second armature secured to said rod for movingsaid rod and said tube relative to each other while one of said followers is in said straight longitudinal track portion, and between a first position in which said first and second clamping portions and said clamping spring contact each other in a clamping position for clamping the thread, said first and second operating members having an intermediate position in which said cutting means cuts the thread; said clamping portions and clamping: spring coupling said tube and said rod for movement together in one direction of longitudinal movement so that said operating members can be longitudinally moved and simultaneously turned in said clamping position to a thread feeding position for feeding the thread to the needles of the knitting. machine.

17. A thread feeding device as set forth in claim 12 and including a braking means for holding said first operating means when said coil of Said first control means is de-energized.

18. A thread feeding device as set forth in claim 12 and including spring means having one end connected to said second control means and the other end abutting said supporting means for opposing movement of said rod by said coil.

19. A thread feeding device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said spring means including two coil spring surrounding said rod and being in end to end relation, and

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,502,486 7/1924 Robinson 66l45 2,893,229 7/ 1959 Haddad 66145 2,924,958 2/1960 Moyer 66140 DONALD W. PARKER, Primary Examiner.

RUSSELL C. MADER, Examiner. 

1. A THREAD FEEDING DEVICE FOR FEEDING A THREAD TO THE NEEDLES OF A KNITTING MACHINE, COMPRISING, SUPPORTING MEANS; FIRST AND SECOND OPERATING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORTING MEANS FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER BETWEEN A GUIDING POSITION FOR GUIDING A THREAD, AND A CLAMPING POSITION FOR CLAMPING THE THREAD, AND FOR SIMULTANEOUS MOVEMENT TO AND FROM A THREAD FEEDING POSITION FOR FEEDING THE CLAMPED THREAD TO THE NEEDLES OF THE KNITTING MACHINE; AND CONTROL MEANS FOR MOVING SAID FIRST AND SECOND OPERATING MEANS IN TIMED RELATION BETWEEN SAID POSITIONS. 